SYLVANIA — Defending the Region 3-AA title was no easy task in 2007 for the Screven County Lady Gamecocks.

            With seven freshmen on the ’07 roster, including first-year pitcher Marla Thompson, SCHS shocked the region finishing 18-8 (13-3) and once again taking home the title.

            A year later, the team is focused and ready once again to defend the crown. The Gamecocks see no reason why they shouldn’t return to the Elite Eight of the GHSA Class AA playoffs again.

            “We will not be happy unless we get back to Columbus,” said Screven coach Billy Pollock. “They know how to get there. They know what it takes to get there. We start off in Savannah this weekend where we’ll play the Top 16 in the south, and hopefully we’ll be there.”

            The Lady Gamecocks are no stranger to the teams in this weekend’s tournament, which begins today at 10 a.m.

            “Starting off with Calvary and Savannah Christian, those are two final-eight schools from last year — (Class) A and AA,” said Pollock. “We’re starting off right where we want to start off.

            “We’ve set up some pretty good competition (and) we’ve gotten some good draws in the tournaments. I hope (we) don’t get too discouraged if we’re four and four starting early.”

            Because only the region standings impacting the seedings for the region tournament, Pollock is less concerned with wins and losses in the early going and more focused on execution.

            “I don’t worry about records, except the region record,” said the Screven coach. “I used to get into records and this and that and the other, but I want us to play good, stiff competition and play them close, play our game, which is a lot of bunting and a lot of running. (I want to) play good, solid defense and give us a chance every game in the seventh inning to win the ballgame.”

            Though the Gamecocks are no strangers to success, there are still some young players in key roles on the team. Pollock hopes they will use the early matchups and tough competition to iron out the wrinkles and have the team ready for region play.

            “I want them to be fundamentally sound with the bat (and with) base running, defensively making the plays — execution. Execution after execution with no mental mistakes. Physical errors are going to happen, but we cannot have the mental mistakes. With a team this young, that’s been their downfall, so we focused a lot on thinking after every pitch.”

            Screven begins regular-season play at home on Tuesday against Appling County. The team will take the field for the first time on the brand new facilities on the SCHS campus.

            “The girls have taken ownership of this field,’ Pollock said. “They do all the work on the field and the maintenance after practice. All we do is drag it. The field right now is soft just because nobody’s played on it very much, but over time it’s going to do nothing but get better.”

            Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.